Articles tagged with Crop Science
Researchers found that the OsMATL2 gene triggers haploid induction when inactivated, resulting in plants with half the normal chromosome number and reduced seed setting. This discovery could revolutionize rice cultivation by accelerating breeding processes.
Researchers found a single gene cluster that determines whether fungus aids or hinders plant growth, offering potential for reducing food waste and increasing crop yields. The study highlights the complex relationships between fungi and their host plants, challenging traditional views of pathogenic and mutualistic traits.
A research team at Ritsumeikan University has identified the elusive ApiT gene in celery, crucial for apiin synthesis. The discovery may pave the way for efficient biosynthesis of apiin, a compound with potential health benefits and medicinal uses.
Researchers from Okayama University used CNNs to estimate rice yield from pre-harvest photographs, achieving accuracy of 68-69%. The model highlighted the importance of panicles in yield estimation and showed promise for monitoring rice productivity at regional scales.
Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed a comprehensive 'super-pangenome' for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication. This genetic toolkit can be used to develop varieties with enhanced yield, increased disease resistance, and improved adaptability.
Gray mold is a fungus that causes billions of dollars in crop losses each year, but researchers have discovered a way to control it without using toxic chemicals. The discovery reveals that gray mold uses lipid 'bubbles' to deliver RNA molecules that silence plant immune systems.
Researchers developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon stocks in agricultural fields, reducing the number of samples needed by 30%. The approach uses doubly balanced sampling and accounts for auxiliary information available in elevation maps, satellite images, and previous surveys. By improving soil sampling efficiency, thi...
An international team of scientists used nondestructive chemical analysis to uncover subtle changes in ancient Egyptian funerary paintings, including reworked motifs and pigments. The discovery sheds new light on the creative process and intellectual identities of pharaonic artists, revealing a more dynamic and complex artistic tradition.
Researchers developed a novel DNA marker-based system for identifying Japanese citrus cultivars, enabling quick detection of counterfeit fruit. The method can accurately identify cultivar-specific DNA polymorphisms within minutes, safeguarding Japan's unique citrus industry and its breeders.
Scientists have identified a natural gene variant in barley that enables plants to flower up to 18 days earlier, allowing for improved adaptation to climate change. This discovery could lead to the development of climate-resilient barley varieties with stable yields.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified new genes that regulate the surge protector in plants, which can help increase photosynthesis efficiency and boost corn yields. The discovery could lead to breeding plants better equipped to capitalize on yield-boosting sunlight.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a failed antibiotic that can effectively kill two of Australia's most problematic weeds, annual ryegrass and wild radish, without harming bacterial or human cells. This finding could lead to faster development of new weed killers, saving farmers billions of dollars each year.
A new study by CABBI researchers has identified the types of microbes associated with engineered oilcane, revealing diverse microbial associations that could increase oil yields for sustainable bioenergy production. The findings suggest that plant-microbial interactions play a key role in determining the composition of the microbiome.
A new study reveals that crops such as corn, sorghum, and millet have evolved by swapping genetic modules between cells to adapt to environmental changes. Researchers identified trends of gene module trading among the species, which may help scientists pinpoint genes controlling drought tolerance.
Researchers used an advanced ecosystem model to assess the impacts of winter cover cropping on soil organic carbon accumulation. They found that growing cover crops can increase SOC by 0.33 megagrams per hectare per year and that SOC benefits can be improved through increasing cover crop biomass.
The new CALANGO software helps untangle genetic factors associated with shared characteristics, such as antibacterial resistance and agricultural improvements. It enables scientists to explore vast amounts of genomic data across thousands of organisms.
Researchers suggest that biochar produced from straw pyrolysis can significantly reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from Chinese staple crops. The addition of an integrated energy system also produces biogas and bio-oil, which can replace fossil fuels and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new digital tool, IWM Tool, has been developed to help farmers design and implement integrated weed management strategies, reducing pesticide use by 50% by 2030. The tool provides a user-friendly approach to diversify weed management strategies, fitting specific needs.
Scientists at UC Riverside identify microRNA as a key player in plant temperature responses and growth, revealing its essential role in sensing environmental changes. The discovery has significant implications for increasing crop yields in diverse environments and adapting to climate change.
A study by the University of Göttingen found that arranging rows of trees at right angles to semi-natural habitats increases pollination performance and nut production. The design also promotes easy movement of bees through the plantation.
Scientists at the University of Adelaide have constructed the first reference genome for psyllium husk, a versatile plant-derived product used to improve gut health and control blood cholesterol. The discovery will pave the way for improvements to the quality and quantity of psyllium crops.
Researchers at Okayama University have identified cycloartenyl ferulate as the main contributor to brown rice's health-promoting effects. The compound's antioxidant properties help protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, leading to benefits such as weight reduction and improved cholesterol levels.
Researchers conducted a three-year field study to determine how black swallowwort responds to common controls. The study found that annual applications of glyphosate were effective in reducing aboveground biomass, but less effective in reducing cover and stem densities.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Nanotechnology, Agriculture and Environment will cover topics such as nanotechnology innovation, sustainability, and biological applications. The event will feature renowned scientists as speakers and provide hands-on experiments, technical visits, and didactic activities.
Researchers discovered a species of grass, seashore paspalum, that can tolerate diverse stresses and aid in crop development. The study revealed the plant responds to nutrient deprivation by doubling its production of a sugary molecule called trehalose, which helped corn seedlings grow faster and larger without added nutrients.
A study by the University of Reading found that up to 20-25% of UK land may be suitable for growing high-quality Chardonnay still wines by 2050. The regions with the best conditions are expected to be South East England, East of England, and Central England.
A study by researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute has identified genes that can help plant breeders develop fruit crops that can adapt to drought conditions. The research found that water stress triggers physiological disorders and fruit loss, but also has positive effects such as increasing lycopene levels in ripe fruit.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Researchers have developed perennial rice that allows farmers to plant once and harvest up to eight times, reducing labor and costs. The crop provides significant environmental benefits, including improved soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A research team at UFSCar developed a biodegradable slow-release fertilizer using modified nanocellulose, which releases nutrients slowly and in a controlled manner. The material is designed to reduce the release of non-biodegradable chemicals into the ecosystem.
A new study by Environmental Working Group finds that communities of color in Ventura County are disproportionately exposed to pesticides, threatening their health and well-being. The study analyzed over 340,000 pesticide application records and found that farmworkers and their families face the greatest risk of pesticide exposure.
Researchers discovered a genetic mechanism that lowers cadmium accumulation in rice without affecting its quality and yield. The duplicated OsNramp5 gene increases the uptake of manganese, competing with cadmium for translocation to shoots, reducing its accumulation.
Researchers at Australian National University and James Cook University identified a natural mechanism that enables plants to limit water loss without compromising CO2 uptake. This discovery has significant implications for the agricultural industry, potentially leading to drought-tolerant crops that can withstand extreme weather events.
A team of researchers has identified a single nucleotide mutation that confers resistance to cassava mosaic disease, which causes significant yield losses worldwide. This discovery has implications for improving cassava yields and sustaining farmer income, and could also shed light on disease-resistance in other major crops.
Quantitative disease resistance is a promising approach to combat plant diseases, which cause an estimated 13% loss of global crop yields annually. Researchers aim to identify disease resistance mechanisms for important corn diseases and develop genetic resources for the broader maize genetics community.
Researchers found that zinc ion serves as a master-regulator of various processes in sperm to facilitate fertilization. Zinc helps maintain sperm in the non-capacitated state, preventing premature capacitation during artificial insemination.
A massive analysis of data from over 700 studies revealed that genetically modified Bt corn has no negative effects on most invertebrate groups, including ladybeetles and lacewings. However, populations of Braconidae insects were reduced with Bt corn.
Researchers tested ictB transformants in field-grown tobacco and found no significant improvement in photosynthesis or biomass production. Despite previous studies suggesting potential benefits, the current study suggests that ictB overexpression may only be beneficial in controlled environments.
Scientists at UC Riverside demonstrate CRISPR technology can make permanent physical changes in the insect, passed down to three or more generations. The technology may hold promise for controlling the sharpshooter and preventing Pierce's Disease.
The UN Convention to Combat Desertification's Global Land Outlook 2 report warns that up to 40% of the planet's land is degraded, threatening half of humanity and roughly 1/2 of world GDP. The report offers hundreds of practical ways to restore land and ecosystem health.
Research reveals that climate change and drought can cause significant yield losses in soybeans, even with high levels of weed control. To mitigate this, farmers need to adopt integrated weed management strategies, including the use of soil-residual herbicides and late-maturing soybean varieties.
A recent study analyzing traditional and social media trends on biotechnology found a significant drop in the salience of the GMO issue between 2018 and 2020. The research suggests that misinformation about GMOs is losing its ability to persuade, even on social media.
Researchers developed an estimation strategy to maximize accuracy while minimizing cost of soil carbon sampling, leveraging publicly available data. The new approach reduces the number of samples needed by up to 28% compared to random selection.
Researchers from around the world have developed new breeding tools to help potato breeders adapt their crops to a changing climate. The collaboration identified useful traits, such as local adaptability and climate flexibility, in wild varieties of potatoes, which can be used to cut down on the time and cost of developing new cultivars.
Illinois researchers identified two tropical corn germplasm lines showing promising levels of tar spot resistance, regardless of location. The study developed a new method for scoring tar spot incidence and severity, which will aid breeding programs. The findings suggest resistant hybrids are key to managing the disease long-term.
Researchers used single cell RNA-sequencing to identify specific cells and genes in maize roots responsible for nitrate uptake. The study provides valuable insights into optimizing root nutrient uptake ability in crops.
Scientists developed a natural antibacterial texture inspired by insect wings, killing up to 70% of bacteria. The innovation aims to reduce food waste, particularly in meat and dairy exports, and extend the shelf life of packaged food.
Researchers identify biochemical pathway for synthesis of nitrogenous volatiles in tomatoes, which are key to flavor compounds. They can now breed this trait into modern tomatoes to improve flavor.
Researchers at RIKEN CSRS have developed a non-transgenic method to modify plant genes using a bioactive molecule spray, which can be used to improve crop yield and resistance to pests. The technique has shown promising results in improving economically desirable quality traits in crops.
CROPSR, an open-source software tool, accelerates CRISPR experiment design and evaluation by addressing challenges in complex crop genomes. The genome-wide approach significantly shortens the time required to design a CRISPR experiment, reducing failed experiments.
Tomato plant varieties resistant to bacterial wilt have the ability to restrict bacterial movement in the plant. Researchers discovered that these plants synthesize reinforcement coatings containing ligno-suberin and related phenolic compounds, providing a physico-chemical barrier against pathogen colonization.
University of Illinois researchers found a key gene responsible for increasing soybean protein content by approximately 2%. The discovery could lead to significant increases in protein production, addressing global food security issues. However, the gene's function is unclear and may involve the plant's circadian machinery.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that applying dicamba at the latest growth stage and using a safener can help minimize injury to sweet corn. The results suggest that dicamba could be used safely in sweet corn with proper application timing and formulation, offering practical guidance for farmers.
A recent study found 24 different pathotypes of Phytophthora sojae in Quebec and Ontario compared to eight in Manitoba, indicating declining resistance to Rps genes. More than 85% of fields surveyed contained isolates that could overcome the Rps genes present in planted varieties.
A recent study found that cover cropping can reduce the population of Pseudomonas syringae, a common bacterial pathogen affecting agricultural crops. The researchers also discovered an increase in beneficial microbes such as Sphingomonas and Methylobacterium, which have been used as biocontrol agents against pathogens.
A group of plant pathologists have compiled a recovery plan to mitigate tar spot's impact on corn production. The plan reviews current knowledge and future needs, enabling the dissemination of best management practices across state lines.
Researchers confirm that Chevalier barley came from a single plant, analyzing seed samples older than 150 years. The study reveals how the single plant's genetic signature was preserved and used to create modern malting barley varieties.
The University of Nebraska is at the forefront of a global on-farm research movement, where producers actively contribute to agronomic understanding. This approach has shown significant benefits, including improved soybean production and nitrogen management, resulting in increased yields and reduced costs.
A new study reveals that Xanthomonas euvesicatoria has evolved to evade the immune system of tomato plants by changing a single amino acid in its flagellin proteins. This finding poses significant challenges for breeding disease-resistant tomato varieties, forcing farmers to rely on fungicides and copper treatments.
Banana Blood disease has arrived in mainland Malaysia, spreading rapidly across the country and potentially threatening food security. The disease, first reported in Indonesia in 1905, has already devastated banana plantations in many parts of Southeast Asia.